European 4-1 is THE weave people think of when they think of chainmail. It is a perfect beginner weave - it is easy to learn and rewarding.

European 4-1 KitsThe kits below are quick and simple way to get started.
European 4-1 instructions are free with any purchase. They are included with any kit. If you do not wish to get a kit simply add the instructions to your cart below.

We have way too many possibilities of materials and sizes to show them all as kits. We have pre-selected some materials and sizes below.

For beginners we recommend getting a kit to start learning - then if you like you can add more materials, colors and elements to spice it up.

European 4-1 can quite easily be made fancier with elements like beads, rubber rings, twisted rings or shapes. You can also play with the end clasps for a different look and even make a 1/2 rubber solid cuff bracelet.

Average bracelets are around 6-8", anklets are around 10"-12", women's chokers start at 16"-18", men's chokers are around 20"-24"

Click here to show ALL Ring Sizes and Counts for European 4-1!

The following chart and information is intended as a comprehensive resource for European 4-1. If you are trying to cross reference sizes from instructions like a book - Make sure to use millimeters not gauge! There are 2 gauge systems and this makes using gauge confusing unless you know what the instructions use. Both gauges are listed below.

Also note the mm size for ID is approximate. The actual ring size will be close enough - so no worries if its not exactly what is shown.

Like all weaves, European 4-1 looks best when made with rings of the correct size. It is however a VERY forgiving weave and can be made with most rings! The perfect European 4-1 is close to an Aspect Ratio (AR) of 3.5. This makes a nice dense weave. The higher the AR the looser and more open the weave. Click here if you would like to see an explanation of AR. European 4-1 can be made with much larger rings. The largest recommended AR is about 6.5 - larger than this and the weave can become weak. This is not the case in all materials and wire gauges; larger AR rings can sometimes be useful in stronger materials.

20g SQUARE WIRE(0.8mmx0.8mm)(0.032"x0.032")AR does not apply to square wire - weaves are denser than round wire.

1/8" (~3.2mm)~16700 Rings Per Sq. Ft.

Great tighter fine jewelry size

5/32" (~4.1mm~10000 Rings Per Sq. Ft.

Great fine jewelry size

3/16" (~5.0mm)~6500 Rings Per Sq. Ft.

Great looser fine jewelry size

European 4-1 Math

You can estimate the number of rings needed for a certain size of project - the number of rings per square foot are in the chart above. If you want to make a bracelet that is 1" wide x 7" long here is how you do the math:
1" wide x 7" = 7 square inches Divide this by 144 to get square feet (or use google to search for "7 square inches to square feet")
The answer is 0.0486 square feet.
Lets say you want to use 18g 5/32" rings. They are listed as ~7595 Rings Per Sq. Ft.
Number of rings needed = (square feet needed) x (rings per square foot)
Number of rings needed = (0.0486 square feet) x (7595 Rings Per Sq. Ft)
Number of rings needed = 369 rings
Make sure to round up - this is an estimate!

Terminologies: There are some notable terminologies that should be addressed.

Hanging Open and Hanging Closed: If you take a finished piece and hold it letting it hang then turn it 90° you will notice it hangs differently. Holding it one way, it sags in on itself at the bottom and makes a tapered shape. This is the correct direction for making a shirt as the fabric will hug contours. It is called "Hanging Closed"
Hanging the other way the sides are straight and the piece is rectangular. This is the correct orientation for banners, bracelets, belts etc. In this orientation the terms columns and rows
make sense. This is called "Hanging Open& In this orientation adding rings to the side is called adds ‘columns’ and adds width to your bracelet (or length to your shirt). Adding rings the bottom adds adding ‘rows’ and increases length of your bracelet (or circumference of your shirt).

Kinged: This is the term for doubling every ring in a weave - it is most commonly used for European 4-1 that when kinged is actually 8-2.

On the Bias: This is the term for weaving a length of European 4-1 at an angle rather than in straight rows and columns. The rows and columns end up slanted in the final project. This is great for belts and bracelets or other strap-like pieces.

Snake Weave: although this can be considered a weave variant, it is actually just European 4-1 made with 2 rings sizes.

Variants: There are a lot of variants of European 4-1. I recommend searching on MailleArtisans.org

You must hit the "Order Selected Products" button to add selected items to your cart.

European 4 in 1 Instructions - FREE with purchase

Price: US$0.00 /EACH

Level: BeginnerEuropean 4 in 1 is THE basic chainmail weave everyone thinks of as chainmail.This is a beginner weave. No previous experience is necessary.This instruction set is free with any order. Simply add it to your cart and you will get a download link at the end of your order. We are not able to email the PDF - you must add it to your cart and check out with an order.Now with 6 pages! We added 4 more pages of info on sizes and terminology!

Downloadable immediately after paying online.Look on Thank You page after payment screen for the link.

Great beginner size - small enough and tight enough to be chunky jewelry and large enough to see what you are trying to do! These kits make ~21 square inches of European 4-1 (by weight) - this is ~three 1 inch wide bracelets!Each kit contains 2 colors as noted- black or bright silver and then 1 color. Kits with black rings come with 1 dozen black ice color clasps. Kits with bright silver rings come with with 1 dozen silver plated clasps.Average bracelets are around 7", anklets are around 10"-12" and chokers start at 16"-18".This kit includes FREE PDF Instructions. If you wish to get the instructions without the kit they are free with purchase and can be added to your cart from the listing above.Please Note: There are way too many combinations for us to show them all here. You can select other sizes or colors of anodized rings here. Use the detailed info for European 4-1 ring sizes above if you wish to choose another size. (The rings in this kit can also be used for Byzantine weave!)
Weight is ~ 0.192 lbs /kit

These kits make ~19 square inches of European 4-1 (by weight) - which is enough for 2 extra wide bracelets!Each kit contains 2 colors as noted- black or bright silver and then 1 color. The 18g 5/32" rings (1.2mm wire 4mm Inside diameter) are a good beginner size - the resulting weave will dense and perfect for jewelry!Kits with black rings come with 1 dozen black ice plated clasps. Kits with bright silver rings come with with 1 dozen silver plated clasps.Average bracelets are around 7", anklets are around 10"-12" and chokers start at 16"-18".This kit includes FREE PDF Instructions. If you wish to get the instructions without the kit they are free with purchase and can be added to your cart from the listing above.Please Note: There are way too many combinations for us to show them all here. You can select other sizes or colors of anodized rings here. Use the detailed info for European 4-1 ring sizes above if you wish to choose another size. (The rings in this kit can also be used for Byzantine weave!)
Weight is ~ 0.14 lbs /kit

19g 9/64" rings make a beautiful dense and delicate weave that is perfect for jewelry! 19g is the gateway to micromaille - still large enough to be easy and fun without the extra challenges of the super delicate 20g and smaller sizes.These kits make ~17.5 square inches of European 4-1 (by weight) - which is enough for 2 extra wide bracelets!Each kit contains 2 colors as noted- black or bright silver and then 1 color.Kits with black rings come with 1 dozen black ice plated clasps. Kits with bright silver rings come with with 1 dozen silver plated clasps.Average bracelets are around 7", anklets are around 10"-12" and chokers start at 16"-18".This kit includes FREE PDF Instructions. If you wish to get the instructions without the kit they are free with purchase and can be added to your cart from the listing above.Please Note: There are way too many combinations for us to show them all here. You can select other sizes or colors of anodized rings here. Use the detailed info for European 4-1 ring sizes above if you wish to choose another size. (The rings in this kit can also be used for Byzantine weave!)
Weight is ~ 0.13 lbs /kit

The main kits make a high quality ~1" wide cuff style bracelet in sterling silver ! They each make ~7" of ~1" wide European 4 in 1 (by weight) and come with 1 sterling silver tube clasp. All of these are good beginner sizes - the 18g is slightly easier to learn than the thinner 20g.Average bracelets are around 7", anklets are around 10"-12" and chokers start at 16"-18". If you wish to make an anklet or choker add extension kits as needed.You may have left over rings for a set of matching earrings.This kit includes FREE PDF Instructions. If you wish to get the instructions without the kit they are free with purchase and can be added to your cart from the listing above.

These kits make one 8" cuff style bracelet that is ~1" wide from Saw Cut stainless rings & Stainless Tube claspsStainless is more difficult to bend than other materials - these kits are more challenging for beginners. Good wide nose pliers are recommended.This kit includes FREE PDF Instructions.Please Note: There are way too many combinations for us to show them all here. You can select other materials and sizes of rings here. Use the detailed info for European 4 in 1 ring sizes to assist iin selecting rings.

Everything you need to learn how to make chainmail!All kits includes: Free detailed 6 page European 4 in 1 Instructions (PDF download), 2 Wide Nose Pliers and rings in the as listed. These rings also work for Byzantine weave!For kits with anodized aluminum you cannot choose the color in the kit - they are set. If you want to add another color you can choose them from the AA rings category. Just add the kit to your cart to see the details of what is in the kit and add any more colors as you wish.

0.59 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~750 Machine Cut Bright Aluminum Rings in 16g 1/4" (clothing size or chunky jewelry). Bright aluminum rings are easier to bend but still strong; they are also light. There are enough rings for ~1/4 square foot of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures.

0.59 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~750 Machine Cut Bright Aluminum Rings in 16g 1/4" (clothing size or chunky jewelry). Bright aluminum rings are easier to bend but still strong; they are also light. There are enough rings for ~1/4 square foot of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures.

1.08 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~800 Machine Cut Stainless Steel Rings in 16g 1/4" (clothing size or chunky jewelry). Stainless rings more difficult to bend than bright aluminum and stronger. There are enough rings for ~1/4 square foot of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures and shiny anodized colors.

1.08 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~800 Machine Cut Stainless Steel Rings in 16g 1/4" (clothing size or chunky jewelry). Stainless rings more difficult to bend than bright aluminum and stronger. There are enough rings for ~1/4 square foot of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures and shiny anodized colors.

2.058 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~5200 machine cut Bright Aluminum and Anodized Aluminum rings3 sizes of rings 14g 3/8", 16g 1/4", 18g 3/16". All of these rings are great for clothing size pieces like shirts, bracers or belts. There are enough rings for ~1.85 sq ft of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures and shiny anodized colors.

2.058 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~5200 machine cut Bright Aluminum and Anodized Aluminum rings3 sizes of rings 14g 3/8", 16g 1/4", 18g 3/16". All of these rings are great for clothing size pieces like shirts, bracers or belts. There are enough rings for ~1.85 sq ft of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures and shiny anodized colors.

3.3 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~3300 Machine Cut Stainless Steel and Blackened Stainless Steel Rings3 sizes of rings 14g 3/8", 16g 1/4", 18g 3/16". All of these rings are great for clothing size pieces like shirts, bracers or belts. There are enough rings for ~1.15 sq ft of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures.

3.3 lbs / KitSpecial Notes: ~3300 Machine Cut Stainless Steel and Blackened Stainless Steel Rings3 sizes of rings 14g 3/8", 16g 1/4", 18g 3/16". All of these rings are great for clothing size pieces like shirts, bracers or belts. There are enough rings for ~1.15 sq ft of European 4-1! This kit does not contain any findings.Machine cut rings are great for larger projects and are easier to learn on - you may wish to choose a saw cut kit if you prefer perfect closures.